Afghanistan – what’s happening and how to get involved
-
Supporting Afghan Families across Hampshire
Since the announcement that military forces would be leaving Afghanistan, Winchester City Council has committed to supporting the national Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
We are working closely with Hampshire County Council to provide housing, support, donations and anything else that those arriving in the UK from Afghanistan may need.
-
What’s the government doing?
Last week, the government pledged to release £30m of aid to Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries to help anyone fleeing danger.
Of this £30m, £10m has been made available to humanitarian partners including UNCHR. £20m is being allocated to the countries who experience high numbers of refugees. The government has made this money available to enable:
-
The coordination of essential supplies
-
Setting up sanitation and hygiene facilities where needed
- Support for reception and registration facilities.
-
-
How can you help?
The council has already received many offers of support from our residents and businesses who are looking to help Afghan evacuees escaping the Taliban – these are greatly appreciated. There are a various organisations across the district making efforts to collect and sort clothing donations for refugees coming to the UK. You can also donate funds to charities listed below.
Unit 12 and Community First are welcoming your clothing donations for refugees. You can drop donations off at Unit 12 CIC (Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm) or to the Community First hub in the Shopmobility within Brooks shopping centre (Monday to Friday 11am – 3pm)
For more details about how you can help through donations, please click on the tab below or find more information on Hampshire County Council's website.
If you wish to donate funds directly to support this cause, you may wish to consider:
-
The Red Cross and Red Crescent who are on the ground in 34 provinces across Afghanistan.
-
UNHCR, The Big Give and Turquoise Mountain who are also raising funds to support people displaced from their homes.
-
-
What items should I donate?
It’s important donations are in fact useful for those coming into the UK. Here’s what’s needed:
Adults
- Both male and female shoes (no high heels or sandals) all sizes – good condition
-
Both male and female warm waterproof coats – all sizes
-
Male clothing – jeans/chinos, cargo pants, sportswear, jumpers, sweatshirts, belts and underwear – good condition
-
Female clothing – culturally appropriate and to include maternity wear
-
New underwear, including socks for males and females and ladies bras (not second-hand) all sizes
Children (up to 16 years)
-
Boys aged 10 years upwards: Winter clothing to include jeans, shirts, jumpers and sportswear
-
Girls aged 6 upwards: Winter clothing, no summer items.
-
Warm, waterproof coats for boys and girls of all ages
-
New underwear for boys and girls of all ages (not second-hand)
-
Shoes for boys and girls, all ranges and sizes)
Other
-
Phones and chargers
-
Notepads, pens and colouring books
-
Playing cards